More than 400 consultant anaesthetists left the shores of Nigeria for greener pastures in the last two years.
The President of the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists, Dr. Olubusola Alagbe-Briggs, said this on Wednesday.
Alagbe-Briggs, who spoke in Gombe, Gombe State, told newsmen on the sideline of the society’s 31st annual scientific conference that the immigrant anaesthetists left Nigeria in search of a better practice environment.
She said anaesthetists were the most sought-after specialists in foreign lands because of the peculiarity of their services.
She said: “There is a global shortage of anaesthetists because of the nature of the job, which is intensive, acute and focused.
“We had about 1,200 members in the past, but today we have only 800 members.
“Those countries that are short of anaesthetists are pulling those here in Nigeria to their countries.
“Nigerian professionals are the best.
“They are highly sought after by other countries.
“Medical practitioners and other professionals will continue to emigrate until their welfare and available equipment are improved upon.”
Alagbe-Briggs stressed that availability of appropriate equipment and improved welfare were essential to improve medical practice and services.
She said the conference itself sought to ensure continuous enhancement of the knowledge of the society’s members to help to improve their services.
She added: “We are looking at how we can help to improve on cancer care.
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“We are involved in the operational stage, pain relief, emergency care and intensive care.
“We are in Gombe to brainstorm on how to improve our specialty in line with the theme of the conference, learn from one another and share research outcomes.”
The conference has: “Anaesthesia and the pre-operative care of patients with cancers,” as its theme.